The times they are a-changin' -- but just how much is the big question for curling.

While the sport has never been healthier in Canada in certain ways (two reigning Olympic gold medalists, strong TV numbers and an expanded Grand Slam circuit), there are plenty of different ideas about what the next steps should be for pressing issues. Respected voices are all over the map on a host of dilemmas.

The residency rules (which don't always have the sharpest teeth), the provincial format of the Tim Hortons Brier and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the ways the country determines Olympic qualifiers -- all of it is sure to be debated and discussed as a new Olympic cycle kicks in.

"Where else can you have the No. 1 seed in the world playing against 64 (at a 12-team main draw in a national championship)," Warren Hansen, the Canadian Curling Association's director of event operations, said during a break in play at the Scotties.

"It's not fair to either one of them, but how we get there and how that's all going to happen and how long it's going to take remains to be seen. At least we're talking. We're looking at all kinds of particular options as we look to moving ahead. We're dealing with 87 years of tradition with interprovincial competition with the Brier, so it's very hard for some people to see by that."

It's a point of contention -- and Hansen is the first to acknowledge others in the CCA have different opinions.

Hansen, in a fascinating interview with the Edmonton Sun's Terry Jones in Decemeber, said he could see a day when the Canada Cup (seven top men's and women's teams, regardless of location) surpasses the Brier in overall importance.

There is something to be said for best vs. best. But is it the be-all and end-all? Maybe, maybe not.

"The Tim Hortons Brier and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts are the two jewels of the CCA schedule," said TSN president Stewart Johnston, who has an important voice in any discussion as the CCA's broadcaster.

Johnston acknowledges there could be tweaks to the format and has full confidence in the CCA to do what's best for the events, but doesn't envision a complete overhaul. As Johnston asks, what can you do to improve the events "without throwing out 100 years of history?"

He has a point. Just look at the numbers. TSN says it drew 609,000 viewers for Sunday's afternoon Scotties draw -- with the featured game between Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, neither of which is considered a favourite this week. The Raptors, as just one example, would kill for this kind of ratings on a regular basis.

However, several top teams have stretched the residency rules beyond recognition in past years -- Hansen expects at least some sort of change. As it stands, the Scotties and Brier play significant roles in determining Olympic trials qualifiers. Should Canada's Olympians be restricted by provincial residency? At the top level of the sport, getting to the Olympics is the No. 1 priority -- rinks undergo major changes to gear up for a Winter Games run.

"The Brier was built around regional competition," said Richard Hart, Glenn Howard's third and the coach of Rachel Homan's Team Canada at the Scotties, who also has done some TV work for Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling owner Rogers Sportsnet.

"It was a big party once a year and all curling fans got together for the Brier or Scotties. But if the Brier does not have the best teams in the country at it, there's not much to celebrate."

The Grand Slam, purchased by Rogers Sportsnet when it was in trouble in 2012, showcases the top teams. Recently, Sportsnet announced it will increase the circuit to include eight events for 2016-17 with $2.5 million in prize money.

"We've been very clear," said Sportsnet president Scott Moore. "Our vision is we'd like to see a pro circuit for curling in the next five years where you could have full-time professional curlers (Moore suggests 10-12 men's and women's teams) at a certain level."

But is that really possible? Though TV numbers may be high, in-arena attendance is hit and miss at certain events and certain venues.

"I think the Grand Slam from the point of view of the players is good," Hansen said. "But the other side of the coin is I don't think it could create enough money, just as the Canadian professional golf tour (has trouble creating) enough money, for somebody to survive (as a full-time curler)."

The sport also has to be concerned with depth of competition. The Grand Slam regulars -- Homan, Alberta's Val Sweeting and Manitoba's Jennifer Jones -- have been the clear front-runners at the Scotties.

It's hard for others to keep up.

"Frankly, I just don't want to invest that much of my life into it at this age with all the cards stacked against me (in her home province)," said Newfoundland and Labrador skip Heather Strong. "I just don't want to make that sort of investment. We do the best we can with what we've got."

Despite knowing she's a heavy underdog, however, Strong doesn't support changing the Scotties format. The only way teams like hers can get better, she says, is by having access to a national championship on arena ice.